Lake Shore
Hosp Authority

Governor Scott's Board has a long history giving
trinkets to the indigent. Here are Hosp Auth mementos:
pens, pencils, collapsible cups, a pedometer. All paid
for with LSHA public funds.

By Stew Lilker

Auth Manager Berry turned away from Ms. Lemley, who was
to his left.

COLUMBIA COUNTY, FL – Last night Governor Scott's
Lake Shore Hospital Authority Board met for its monthly
meeting. Floating on a sea of public money and
accountable to no one, the Governor's appointees, as
well as Authority Manager Jackson P. "Jack" Berry,
generally ignore the public refusing to answer any
questions. When resident Barbara Lemley asked about
various items that were paid for by the Authority all
she received was the back of Mr. Berry's head and the
cold shoulder from the Chair and the other board
members.

Background

Before last night's meeting, Ms. Lemley reviewed the
Authority's Operating Fund check register. She found
what she thought were questionable expenses, some of
which were: "Captured Memories... Shands pie, $69.95;"
"Amazon office expense, pie frame, $42.24;" and a check
to "LaDonna C. Boyette" with no explanation, $312.

Ms. Lemley came to the meeting with the intention of
asking the Governor's Board and Manager Berry for an
explanation.

The Meeting

Chair Loretta Chancy as Ms. Lemley addressed the Bd.

Ms. Lemley followed the Authority rules and filled
out a public comment card. Chairwoman Chancy recognized
her to speak. Ms. Lemley went to the lectern. She
addressed the Board, Chairwoman Chancy, and Manager
Berry, who as she walked to the lectern, turned away
from her.

Ms. Lemley began, "On February 19, 2016, there was an
amount of $756.78 for discount mugs; it's labeled
'promotional.' Ms. Chancy, what is the purpose of
promotional discount mugs and how does that benefit the
indigent?"

Ms. Lemley paused for an answer. No one attempted to
answer. There was complete silence. Mr. Berry remained
turned away from her. Chairwoman Chancy covered up her
face.

Ms. Lemley continued, questioning a $42.24 item that
was on the check register as Amazon frame for Shands --
pie frame and another expense to LaDonna Boyette for
$312.

Ms. Lemley forgot to mention the "Captured
Memories... Shands pie, $69.95" although it was on a
list of items that Ms. Lemley handed your reporter
before the meeting.

Time Marches On: What Was the Promotion?

Twenty minutes later, after the Governor's Board
bollixed a fence bid approval by completely ignoring its
own purchasing policy, Board member Ron Foreman inquired
about Ms. Lemley's questioning of the "promotional
mugs."

Mr. Foreman said, "Barbara raised an issue about the
$756.78. And the category was promotional mugs... my
question is, 'What was the promotion?'"

Manager Berry responded, "We buy those things every
year when we run out."

The Healthy Choice?
Chicken Alfredo was the main course at last year's
Ladies Night Out, sponsored by the Authority.

Mr. Foreman followed up, "But what's the promotion?
Is it about preventative healthcare or something that
would benefit the indigent? Or was it promoting
something that is germane to our Authority? That's what
was not discussed. What was the promotion?"

Mr. Berry replied, "OK. What we buy those things for
is for health fairs – when we have health fairs as give
away things. Cynthia, tell them what's in it. I don't
know what all's in it."

Cynthia Watson, part of the two person Authority
office staff, took over, "You have pillboxes; we had
little meters for when they're out walkin'. Let's see,
we had little bandages."

Mr. Foreman said, "When you use the word promotional
it sounds like it might be something -- a very indirect
theme. In reality it was about the Authority, preventive
healthcare -- which I think is well within our budget. I
don't think there is an issue. I think we did exactly
what our budget intended for us to do."

Mr. Berry seemed relieved, "Promotional Cups is the
name of the company."

Mr. Foreman explained, "The word promotional has
many, many connotations. If the theme of the promotion
was health related issues I think that's right down our
theme. I don't have any problem with it. I think we are
well within our budget and our guidelines."

If Mr. Foreman had asked to see the check register he
would have discovered that the item was classified as an
"office expense," not an educational expense.

Ms. Chancy followed up, "Also, when things go on sale
is the time to buy them. That's always something to
think about."

Board member Creel wanted to know, "Did it last a
year?"

Mr. Berry answered, "They last more than a year. It's
been a couple -- three years since we had to buy any."

None of the Governor's Board members questioned Mr.
Berry's earlier remark made just a few moment before,
"We buy those things every year when we run out."

Epilogue

Chairwoman Chancy closed the conservation, "You have
to put it in perspective," she said.

LSHA 8 (clockwise from top):
Koby Adams - political operative and Liz Porter's Chief of
staff
Brandon Biel - latest Scott appointee and a young republican
on the move
Dr. Waseem Khan - a board member who
lives out of the county
Janet Creel - real estate broker
Ron Foreman - father of the County Atny
Tim Murphy - a nice guy, talented welder, clueless about
government
Board Chairwoman Lory Chancy - her main job appears to be
not to answer questions and to protect Columbia County's
legendary political operative, Jackson P. "Jack" Berry (in
the middle).